Compound rail.



l 0' 1m Patented June 2,1914,

2 SHEET$$HEET 1.

D. F. CRAWFORD.

COMPOUND RAIL.

APPLICATION FILED DEC WITNESSES:

A TTORNEY.

DAVID F. CRAWFORD, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMPOUND RAIL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2, 1914.

Application filed December 30, 1912. Serial No. 739,219.

To all whom it nmg concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID F. (Juswronn, citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsyl'ania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compound Rails, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to compound or built-up rails wherein the composition of the upper and lower portions oi the rails may be varied to suit conditions, the lower portion being preferably made of tough low carbon steel and the upper portion of harder steel having a higher carbon content and increased wearing qualities. The invention has for its primary objects; the provision of a built-up rail in which the parts can be made oi easily rolled commercial sections and in which the cap and base portions of the rail are held together with a maximum degree of security; the provision of a builtup rail in which a simple and inexpensive joining means is employed--requiring no bolts or machine Work; and the provision of a fastening means for the parts of the rail, of great security and rigidity, and one which at the same time may be readily connected and disconnected to permit of the expeditious replacement of the cap or wearing portion of the rail. One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein- Figure l is a section on the line I--I of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 2 is a section through the rail where insulating means are employed; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the rail, on a reduced scale, and Figs. 4c and 5 illustrate the means employed where the compound rail of the present application is secured to a rail of ordinary cross section, Fig. 4 being a section on the line IVIV of Fig. 5, and Fig. 5 being a side elevation of the connecting device.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, 1 is the cap or top portion of the rail of high carbon steel and or relatively high wearing quality, and 2 is the lower or base portion of the rail, made of relatively low carbon steel. and being very tough and without brittleness. A relatively soft steel may be employed for this section 2, inasmuch as it is not exposed to wear, the section 1 being the only section exposed to wear, and being readily replaceable when worn out or broken.

Lying between the opposing flange portions of the sections 1 and 2 is a fastening plate 3 of wrought metal, this plate, in one or several sections, being coextensive in length with the sections 1 and 2 as indicated in F 3, in the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated, although this is not necessarily the case. The side edges of the plate 3 are slotted in order to provide the plurality oi? wings t and 5, such wings being alternately turned up and down so as to embrace the flanges ot' the sections l and 2. The plate 8 preferably of steel or other wrought metal, and when the wings ti. and 5 are bent into position the two sec tions .l and 2 are very securely clamped in position. When it is desired to remove the top section for replacement the wings 4 may be very readily disengaged from the flanges ot' the top section, by inserting the end of a bar of proper contour between the ends of the wings and the side faces of the section 1. Ordinary splice bars 6 and bolts 7 may be employed for securing sections 2 2 end to end.

Figure 2 indicates in section the method of insulating the rail. As here shown, wood blocks 8 and 9 lie on opposite sides oi the web of the section 2, and are held in place by means of the bolts 10. The base of the section 2 is supported by means of the flange 11. carried by the plate 12, insulation being secured by means of the strip 13. The insulating ot' the bolts '10 is secured by means of the collars lat and washers 15. A metal bearing strip 16 is interposed between the wood block 8 and the heads of the bolts 10.

Figs. t and illustrate the connection can ployed where the compound rail ot' the prescut application is to be joined to a rail of ordinary cross section, such as the rail 17. The connecting means preferably comprises a cast block 18 having the portion 1.9 pro vided with overhanging flanges 20 (Fig. 4-). The end of the rail 17 is positioned by moving it endwise into the groove formed by the overhanging portions QO QO. The block 18 provided with a pair of side portions 2i which lie opposite the web oi the section 2 and are secured rigidly in place by means of bolts extending through the holes 22. The block .18 may be spiked down in the usual manner.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what if claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is the fol- I lowing.

1. In combination in a compound rail, upper and lower sections having opposing flanged portions, a wrought metal plate lying between the said flanged portions and being coextensive in length therewith, and wings carried by the side edges of the plate, a part of such wings being bent around the flange of one section and another part of such wings being bent around the flange of the other section whereby such sections are secured to the plate against relative vertical movement.

2. In combination in a compound rail, upper and lower sections having opposing flanged portions, a wrought metal plate lying between the said flanged portions and being coextensive in length therewith, and a series of wings carried by each of the side edges of the plate, the said wings on each side being bent alternately up and down so as to engage the flanges of the said sections whereby such sections are secured to the plate against relative vertical movement.

In combination in a compound rail, upper and lower sections having opposing flanged portions, and a wrought metal plate lying between the said flanged portions and being coextensive in length therewith having integral interrupted binding edges adapted to be bent over the flanges whereby such sections are secured to the plate.

4. In combination in a compound rail, upper and lower sections having opposing flanged portions, and a sheet metal strip lying between the said flanged portions and being coextensive in length therewith, the said metal strip having its edges slotted to form a series of clips adapted to be bent alternately up and down around the respective flanges whereby the said sections are secured to the metal strip.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of the two subscribed witnesses.

DAVID F. CRAIVFORD.

Vitnesses:

E. A. SEARIGHT, W. J. CAREY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 1 

